Abdominal Pain (AP), Dispnea, Dizziness, Eye Allergies, Fatigue Symptom, Headache, Heart Rate Determination, Muscle Aches, Muscle Weakness | Patient, Nause and Vomiting, Occupational Exposure to Surgical Smoke, SpO2, Surgical Smoke Exposure
Conditions
Keywords
Surgical Smoke, Masks, Operating Room Nurses, Occupational Exposure
Brief summary
This study was conducted to compare the effect of surgical mask and N95 mask use on physical symptoms due to surgical smoke in operating theatre nurses. The study, which was conducted in a single-group prospective quasi-experimental design, was completed with 38 nurses in the operating theatre unit of a state hospital in the Western Black Sea Region. Data were collected for four weeks using the Descriptive Information Form, Numerical Rating Scale and Symptom Follow-up Form. According to the findings, muscle weakness, myalgia in the upper extremities and muscle cramps were statistically significantly less in nurses using N95 masks. Respiratory parameters, watery eyes and redness were significantly lower in nurses using surgical masks. As a result, it was determined that the type of mask was effective on the incidence of physical symptoms related to surgical smoke.
Interventions
DEVICESurgical Mask
Standard surgical masks were used by operating room nurses during surgical procedures with exposure to surgical smoke.
DEVICEN95 Mask
N95 respirators were used by operating room nurses during surgical procedures with exposure to surgical smoke.
Sponsors
Bartın Unıversity
Bartin State Hospital
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Masking description
Outcome assessment and data analysis were conducted by an independent assessor blinded to the type of mask used.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Willingness to participate in the study * Aged 18 years or older * Working as a sterile operating room nurse at least 4 hours per day, 5 days per week * Compliance with the protocol requiring continuous use of both surgical mask and N95 mask for at least 4 hours per day * Ability to communicate verbally and provide informed consent
Exclusion criteria
* Diagnosed psychiatric disorders * Presence of chronic respiratory, musculoskeletal, or neurological diseases * Presence of chronic dermatological conditions or allergies affecting the facial or respiratory area * Speech or communication impairments * Pregnancy * Holding a supervisory role (e.g., charge nurse) or non-sterile nursing role * Planned unit change or rotation during the study period
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical Smoke-Related Physical Symptom Severity (Total NRS Score) | Five days per week for a duration of four weeks both preoperatively and postoperatively | The severity of physical symptoms related to surgical smoke exposure in operating room nurses, including headache, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, fatigue/weakness, loss of appetite, and dyspnea, was assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Each symptom was rated on a standardized numeric scale, and a total symptom severity score was calculated by summing the individual symptom scores. Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Contacts
CONTACTHilal Çetin Baltutar, Nurse
CONTACTSevim Çelik, Proffessor
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORsevim çelik, Professor
Bartin University Health Science Faculty
Outcome results
None listed